About Us

Towards a new Enlightenment

The Policy Institute is an independent body committed to researching how liberal principles of market economics, the rule of law and limited government can be applied to modern Scotland.

The aims of the Institute

The Policy Institute’s role is educational. Acting as a forum for ideas, its aim is to encourage thinking that will improve Scotland’s performance and prosperity, and bring this to as wide an audience as possible.

Its ambition is to recreate enthusiasm for and awareness of the liberal principles of the Scottish Enlightenment and thus put Scotland back at the forefront of the world both economically and socially.

How the Institute works

It pursues these aims by publishing policy papers and analysis and presenting these to the highest editorial standards through publications, articles, seminars, public debates and other events. Current areas of concern are the Scottish economy; the quality and efficiency of public services; environmental and social issues and the governance of Scotland.

Acting as a catalyst for research and debate, the Institute has no corporate view on these issues. The views of authors and speakers are their own.

The organisation of the Institute

The Policy Institute was founded in 1999 and is registered as a charity (No. SC029012). As such it is entirely independent of the political process and has no party affiliation. It does not seek to influence the outcome of elections or referenda. It is funded mainly by voluntary donations from a range of individuals, companies and foundations.

The objectives of the charity are:

  • To promote the education of the Scottish community by research into economic policies, social and governmental issues and political science with particular but not exclusive reference to such matters insofar as they pertain to the people of Scotland.
  • To promote the health of the Scottish community.
  • To relieve poverty in the Scottish community.

The Institute is run on a day-to-day basis by an Executive Director, assisted by a Research Director and a Press Officer. They are overseen by the Director and the Board of Trustees.

Director
Bill Jamieson
Executive Director
Tom Miers
Tel: 07725 813 123
Research Director
Brian Monteith
Press Officer
Neil Rafferty
Tel: 07733 301 721
Trustees
Prof. Peter Jones
Sir Donald MacKay
Colin McLean
Allan Massie
Andrew Neil
Prof. Sir Alan Peacock
Amy Rafferty

If you have any queries about the Policy Institute, please contact Tom Miers.

21 - 23 Hill Street, Edinburgh, EH2 3JP Tel (0131) 226 8157